keep silent; shut up; hold one's tongue
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to shut one's mouth; to stop talking; to keep silent; to refrain from expressing an opinion
Often used in set phrases such as 闭口不言 (to remain completely silent) and 闭口不谈 (to refuse to discuss something). Can be used both literally (physically closing the mouth) and figuratively (choosing not to speak).
Lǎo老
shī师
wèn问
tā他
wèn问
tí题
，
tā他
què却
bì闭
kǒu口
bù不
dá答
。
The teacher asked him a question, but he kept silent and didn't answer.
Duì对
yú于
zhè这
jiàn件
shì事
，
tā他
shǐ始
zhōng终
bì闭
kǒu口
bù不
tán谈
。
He has consistently refused to talk about this matter.
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Zài在
huì会
yì议
shàng上
，
tā他
xuǎn选
zé择
bì闭
kǒu口
bù不
yán言
，
jìng静
guān观
qí其
biàn变
。
At the meeting, he chose to remain silent and watch how things developed.
Nǐ你
yào要
shì是
bì闭
kǒu口
bù不
shuō说
huà话
，
bié别
rén人
zěn怎
me么
zhī知
dào道
nǐ你
de的
xiǎng想
fǎ法
？
If you keep your mouth shut and don't speak, how will others know what you're thinking?